Burlsworth was also Arkansas' first All-American player since 1993 and was also on the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll from 1995 to 1998. Still, with each pick, even in the first round, you get more and more nervous. The book contains a foreword by former University of Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles and was the inspiration for a movie (see below). He had a master's degree in business administration and was the first Arkansas player in school history to get an advanced degree before playing his last game. Before his junior season in 1997, he was selected to be one of the team captains. And the only thing bigger than high school football in Harrison or anywhere else in Arkansas is Razorback football. Lightly recruited out of Harrison, Burlsworth chose to walk on at Arkansas. It had this outdoor patio that you could stand on and look down on the field. You know, Brandon, you could think about entering the draft. I was high as a kite. Garrison Stadium in Harrison, Arkansas, and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Burlsworth attended Harrison High School where he was an All-State selection. Is Greater a true story? Burlsworth ran a 40-yard touchdown in 4.88 seconds during the combine, more than any other player. Burlsworth was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 63rd pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, but he tragically died in a car accident just 11 days later. It is only the second number ever retired (the other is number 12, retired in honor of Clyde Scott) by the University of Arkansas. I went over to the Broyles Center at 10:30 one night. [7] Burlsworth's locker in the Razorback locker room is encased in glass, preserved for future players and fans in his honor. ``He was so good and so perfect,'' said Nutt, who met with the team Thursday afternoon. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. [10][11] Burlsworth's vehicle clipped an oncoming 18-wheeler, swerved back into his lane, and then hit another tractor trailer head on. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Burlsworth's efforts earned him first-team All-SEC honors in 1997 and 1998, and he was selected for the 1998 College Football All-America Team. Hull's goal was legal. And if someone somewhere told him he wouldn't ever play, they didn't say that for long. --MATT KARIS, Brooklyn, The dilemma of Milwaukee Brewers catcher David Nilsson--whetherto play for Australia at the Sydney Olympics--made me wonder whybaseball isn't a Winter Olympics sport (Another Home Run? The production designer was Lucio Seixas, and the costume designer was Keri Lee Doris. People were swinging by all day. Greater is a 2016 American biographical sports film directed by David Hunt and starring Christopher Severio as American football player Brandon Burlsworth, a walk-on college player who became an All-American, dying in a car crash 11 days after being drafted high in the 3rd round to the National Football League. [4], During the 1999 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Burlsworth with the 63rd pick in the third round. Barbara Burlsworth established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation to assist needy children in Brandons memory. The coaches would talk about him. It's Hollywood. He died as a result of the accident on April 28, 1999, and he had not survived it. I was high as a kite. He graduated from high school in 1994 and was recruited as a football player for the University of Arkansas. [8] In 2013, Bleacher Report named Burlsworth the #1 Greatest Walk-On player of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Era. After this picture wassnapped, Motley dragged my father 30 more yards. [13], After his death, family and friends established the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in honor of his work ethic and Christian values. One of my sons, who was in my car with me, started asking what was wrong, what had happened. Also not included in the film is that Brandon and Marty also have a brother named Grady. That's the kind of stuff we had for Leotis Harris, Greg Koch and R.C. He liked doing it.''. ``(Colts owner) Jim Irsay made it clear to me last night when I delivered the sad news, that Brandon was a Colt and we are going to honor his memory in the appropriate fashion,'' Indianapolis general manager Bill Polian said at a press conference Wednesday. }, First published on April 29, 1999 / 3:58 PM. Brandon was so single-minded, so focused. All of those in my interview will get together Saturday for a special screening of the movie. "They knew Alabama was coming to town. If not, he couldn't. I'm not sure where Reilly thinksthese kids grew up, but I'd sure like his seats the next timeWebber's Kings go against Spree's Knicks if he's too scared towatch.ERIC M. JAFFE, Potomac, Md. Gov. Get a cover. After returning to its lane briefly, the car crossed the center line again and hit a second tractor trailer. Primarily, these students come from working families who cannot afford extras like eye care and do not qualify for state funded programs. I asked him about the young players, still not with the varsity. Burlsworth, 22, died 10 days after his selection on April 28, 1999, in a car crash in Arkansas. Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. As we walked by one of the pro shops, we joked to each other. His final game with the team was in the 1999 Citrus Bowl. The Foundation aids in the meeting of childrens spiritual and physical needs by providing funds to those who are impoverished. "He's in heaven now. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "I took the player's helmet and put it on," said Tice. As Brandon and I were standing out there, the offensive linemen came out, running on the field with their helmets on. Coach Ford didn't say please to anyone.. 77 jersey, naming the weight room after him, and permanently encasing his locker. It was my dream, too, and I sure worked hard at it. I told them about it in that interview.. Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth (September 20, 1976 - April 28, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1998. Greater's notice grows on Netflix. Arkansas doesnt have a pro football team I dont even know if a pro team could survive here. But as good as he was, Brandon was also a late bloomer he was only 17 his senior year and he was still a little undersized for college ball. So I did whatever I could to be there for Brandon. As indicated by the police report, Burlsworth's vehicle floated somewhat over the middle line on U.S. 412, cut the front bumper of a tractor-trailer, and afterward, while he was probably attempting to recover control, crossed the inside line again and hit another tractor-trailer. This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 01:14. "Then I turned around and the next player I faced was Brandon. I can't believe Michael Farber devoted his Stanley Cup finalswrap-up story almost entirely to Brett Hull's controversial goal(The Bitter End, June 28). I do know that Brandon and I met at the high school all-star game, Garrett said. I don't care how good a player he becomes; he's theepitome of what's wrong with sports today.TOM MCCLURE, Cherry Hill, N.J. J.D. No, they have a scene with Coach Ford, Garrett said. ``It's hard to smile. HEATHER NICHOLS, Everton, Ark. His locker is enclosed in a glass case in the Razorback locker room. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed He became very active in the youth group. "He always said there would. That's how you get an 80-yard run. Brandon Burlsworth died 10 days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1999. Again, that's a coach hitting it right on the head of the nail. [18] The foundation makes its money via donations and the sale of Burlsworth merchandise. The 22-year-old Burlsworth, who had been drafted by the Colts 11 days earlier in the wake of gaining first-group All-America respects as a fifth-year senior, was involved with a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer around 15 miles outside Harrison and was killed. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. I said I was going to the UofA. If it meant going over to Moms house to help him with homework, I wanted to be there. That was in the early summer. More than 100 members of Burlsworth's family were present and players from Harrison's football team wore their blue and yellow jerseys. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American. Then, just a few months later, Brandon was killed in a car accident. Brandon Burlsworth played offensive tackle for the University of Arkansas from 2004 to 2007. By that point he was about six-foot-two, over 200 pounds and still growing. A couple of weeks before Brandon left for school, one of the Arkansas coaches called me. Harrison High School football coach Tommy Tice recalled that Burlsworth started slow, but his character carried him through. Past participants include Anthony Lucas, Clint Stoerner, Joe Dean Davenport, Madre Hill, Grant Garrett, Russ Brown, Barry Lunney Jr., Chad Abernathy, Jeremiah Washburn, Michael Smith, Lucas Miller, and others. As I look at the first photo in thearticle, I can only hope the "free-spirited" Brister is smartenough to start wearing a helmet when he's driving hisall-terrain vehicle.MARK ROWAN, Pittston, Pa. Emanuel Yarbrough's agent has it figured all wrong (SCORECARD,June 28). I thought, 'Man, this guy is giving effort still.' ``There will be a delegation from the organization going to the services (Saturday).''. Recruited walk-on is correct in every sense of that phrase, Horton said. Additionally, a Razorback football player who began his career as a walk-on but then earned a football scholarship is honored as the year's Burlsworth Athletic Scholar. '"I told him how much it would mean to them to receive that message from him.". Two buses of Razorbacks players arrived. He spent as many days as he could in the weight room getting stronger. Brandon Burlsworth played for Arkansas from 1995-1998. There is no definitive answer to this question, as the amount of money that Brandon Burlsworths mom may have received for her sons story varies depending on the source. We had to have the funeral at the high school gym. Tickets numbering 800 were offered and sold out quickly, and another 200 were quickly sold as well. ). He started as a walk-on and grew to the anchor of the offensive line. To be of the offensive line Brandon took a risk and walked on 1994! Brandon, the officer told us, had collided head-on with a semi. I could not believe what Isaw on the June 28 issue. Brandons number 77 was retired as a result of the Arkansas Razorback football program. I was trying to do extra, watch as much tape as possible. Burlsworth graduated in 1994 from Harrison High School, where he was an All-State selection and volunteer walk-on football player to the University of Arkansas, despite having scholarship offers from smaller universities. I don't recall him around that first semester at all.. Greater, a film depicting the life and tragic death of Brandon Burlsworth will be released in theaters on August 26th. '', ``From everything we could see,'' said Polian, ``Brandon represented everything we want in a Colts uniform.''. My next big memory of Brandon came from a visit with UA assistant coach Rockey Felker during the 1996 season. I couldn't believe the quotes from J.D. [31], The movie was originally scheduled for a release date of January 29, 2016. Win the NBA championship? Man, you might get to play at the next level., Ah, I dont know, I just gotta focus on this season.. A second tractor trailer was struck as the car crossed the center line in the aftermath of the first accident, causing it to overturn. He walked in and it was the Pillsbury Doughboy. Polian said Burlsworth was "a shining example" to others. If its difficult to describe the love for a brother, its impossible to explain the loss of a brother. Finally, in the third round Brandon answered the phone and gave us the thumbs-up. Brandon Burlsworth was born in Harrison, Arkansas. I asked Barbara about what her son's faith meant to him. His jersey was retired by the Arkansas Razorbacks in his honor and his locker was displayed in glass for public viewing. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Burlsworth's hometown preacher, the Rev. Arlis Thrasher, said the couple was to have spent Saturday picking out wedding rings. And then there was this walk-on from Harrison. There are about 11,000 people in town and one unspoken rule: If its Friday night, youre going to the Harrison High football game. A self-described "walk-on filmmaker", Reindl decided to finance and produce the film.[29]. He was coveted by UA coaches. David Hunt, who also helped Brian write the screenplay, directed the movie, and Gabe Mayhan was director of photography. So I started calling coaches and seeing where he could play. I look forward every Thursday to opening my mailbox and seeingwhom you have chosen for the cover. At the combine, Burlsworth topped all linemen with a 4.88 40-yard dash. I want him here, buthellknow andwellknow., Coach, dont worry about it. He became a starter his sophomore year and was named an All-American his senior year. They are held once each summer at F.S. '', Said Schaeffer, ``He's in a lot better place than the rest of us. He was projected to compete for a starting job next season. Brandon Burlsworth, NFL player. Brandon Burlsworth was 22 years old when he died in a car accident. Those players receive a plaque and a copy of "Through the Eyes of A Champion, the Brandon Burlsworth Story," autographed by Brandon's mother, Barbara Burlsworth. Brandon Burlsworth Was Dedicated & Fully-Focused Player About what her son 's faith meant to him. `` and another 200 were sold! 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